The sub-₹10,000 (approximately $120 USD) smartphone segment is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Poco C40 and the Tecno Spark 9T (specifically the India variant) both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly affordable price. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best balance of performance, battery life, and usability for the average consumer.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Spark 9T emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones share 18W charging, the Helio G35 chipset, fabricated on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Poco C40’s JLQ JR510, making it more responsive for everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 06 | 2022, July 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 17 | Available. Released 2022, August 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 169.6 x 76.6 x 9.2 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) | 164.5 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | - |
| | Dust & splash resistant | Splash resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits | IPS LCD, 500 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | JLQ JR510 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Power Black, Coral Green, Poco Yellow | Turquoise Cyan, Atlantic Blue, Iris Purple, Tahiti Gold |
| Models | 220333QPG | - |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Xiaomi Poco C40
- Potentially longer software support from Xiaomi.
- JLQ JR510 utilizes newer Cortex-A55 cores.
- May be more readily available in certain markets.
- JLQ JR510 chipset is less common, potentially impacting optimization.
- Likely lower performance compared to the Helio G35.
Tecno Spark 9T (India)
- More efficient 12nm Helio G35 chipset.
- Higher clock speeds for improved responsiveness.
- MediaTek chipset benefits from wider software support.
- Tecno’s software update track record is less established than Xiaomi’s.
- May have limited availability outside of India.
Display Comparison
Neither Xiaomi nor Tecno provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key difference lies under the hood. Without specific brightness data, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner, but the focus should be on real-world usability, and both will likely struggle in direct sunlight. Color accuracy is also expected to be standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are expected to feature a primary camera alongside auxiliary lenses, likely including a depth sensor and potentially a macro lens. However, detailed sensor information is lacking. Given the market segment, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture details, it’s difficult to assess a clear advantage. The 2MP macro cameras found on many phones in this price range are generally of limited utility, and should not be a deciding factor.
Performance
The core battleground is the chipset. The Tecno Spark 9T’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm) boasts a clock speed of up to 2.3 GHz with Cortex-A53 cores, while the Poco C40 utilizes the JLQ JR510 (11nm) with a split core configuration peaking at 2.0 GHz using Cortex-A55 cores. While the JR510’s architecture is newer, the 12nm process of the G35 generally translates to better power efficiency and sustained performance. The G35’s higher clock speeds also contribute to a snappier experience in app loading and multitasking. The Poco C40’s chipset is less common, potentially impacting long-term software optimization.
Battery Life
Both the Poco C40 and Tecno Spark 9T feature 18W wired charging. While the battery capacity isn’t specified, both are likely in the 5000-6000 mAh range, typical for this price bracket. The Helio G35’s 12nm process efficiency in the Spark 9T could translate to slightly better battery life under moderate usage, offsetting any potential capacity differences. 0-100% charging times will likely be around 2-3 hours for both devices, given the 18W charging standard.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco C40 if you prioritize a potentially longer software support lifecycle due to Xiaomi’s established brand presence and need a device primarily for extremely light tasks like calls and basic messaging. Buy the Tecno Spark 9T (India) if you prefer a more fluid user experience, slightly better gaming capabilities, and a chipset built on a more modern manufacturing process, even if it means potentially shorter software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 9T’s Helio G35 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G35 isn’t a gaming powerhouse, it can run PUBG Mobile at lower settings (balanced graphics, medium frame rate). Expect occasional frame drops during intense action. The Poco C40’s JLQ JR510 will likely offer a less stable gaming experience.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Poco C40 and Tecno Spark 9T?
The Poco C40 runs Xiaomi’s MIUI, known for its extensive customization options but also potential bloatware. The Tecno Spark 9T utilizes HiOS, which is generally lighter but may lack the same level of polish and feature richness. Both are based on Android, but the user interface and pre-installed apps will differ significantly.
❓ Is the 18W charging on either phone considered fast charging in 2024?
No, 18W charging is relatively slow by 2024 standards. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. However, it’s typical for phones in this price range, and both devices offer similar charging speeds.
